Design and Realization of an Orchard Operation-Aid Platform: Based on Planting Patterns and Topography

To address the lack of mechanical orchard operation-aid platforms that assist in the horticultural management tasks such as pruning, spraying, thinning flowers and fruits, and harvesting in litchi and longan orchards, this paper proposes an orchard operation-aid platform specifically tailored for hilly and mountainous orchards. The platform is optimized for orchards with tree and row spacing not exceeding 6 m and slopes not exceeding 15°. By considering the planting patterns and operational topography parameters of litchi and longan, the key components were meticulously designed, including the chassis, lifting device, extension device, and slope operation support device. The driving stability, slope operation stability, and the reachable workspace of the orchard operation-aid platform were analyzed, followed by a prototype experiment. The results demonstrate that the platform achieves an in situ turning radius of 1.2 m with no deviation in the turning path. It satisfies the passability and operational slope requirements of hilly terrains with both driving and operational slopes exceeding 15°. Additionally, the platform features a working height of 4.0 m and an operating radius of 3.7 m, meeting the operational requirements for multiple tasks. This research provides a practical and effective solution for enhancing operational efficiency in multiple stages of fruit cultivation, demonstrating significant practical value and potential for widespread application.